The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1887-07-06
BY TELEPHONE.

folded and laid away In my pocket-booK
letter from the dearest girl in the
world, and jumped on the horse-car, en-
route for my office!
Some months had passed since I saw
nv Agnes, for the first time, at dinner
at the Peytons'. I had frequently met
Miss George Peyton in society, and had
been several times invited to her recep-
tions, so I was not surprised to receive
one day an invitation to dine with her
informally" to meet young lady from
Aiken, S. G. Of course I presented my
self at this informal dinner in full even
ing dress, where I met some other gentle
men in similar attire-Clarkson was one
of them-and a few young ladies, and
was introduced to my Agnes. If could
only make you see her as she appeared to
me that night-so fresh and blooming:
the blue of her clear, peaceful eyes; the
delicious curve of her delicate lips! But
enough that then and there yielded, and
became her ardent adorer.
From the first she distinguished me
with her favor. I was her escort to con-
cert and opera. was allowed to claim
the best dances; they were always my
flowers she carried, and, finally, before
she returned to Aiken, was her accepted
lover.
The year had flown swiftly, and now a
brilliant prospect seemed to open before
me. My firm was about to establish a
branch department in another part of the
city, and proposed to make one of their
clerks junior partner and manager of
the new concern. l had been the longest
in their employ, and had reason to think
I was regarded with favor by "Old
Gruff"-as Mr.. Gruffland, the senior
partner, was called-and he would be the
one to make the promotion and settle the
question of salary.
Indeed, for some weeks I had seen that
he was working the management into my
hands, so I felt justified in writing to
Agnes, urging our immediate union. The
dear girl consented, and in the letter re-
ceived that morning she told me she was
coming again to make long visit at the
Peytons' to ''do some shopping" En-
trancing words! What did they not i'm
ply2 And that eff all went well"-if I
got the position. of course-"we might
be married before very long!" I was the
happiest man in the world, as I folded
the dear little letter away, resolving, if it
was in the power of man to earn promo
ton, would make myself indispensable
to my employers.
Well, she came. There was demure
but delightful meeting at the station and
an enchanting twenty minutes until I de-
ivered her to Miss Georges arms at the
Peytons' door.
Then followed days of devotion to
work, followed by evenings of unalloyed
bliss. Isay ''unalloyed," but there was
one drawback. The Peyton' family were
very considerate, Miss George especially
s, but my darling Agnes was haunted
with the fear that they would think her
visit to them was only to enjoy my So
ciety, and was constantly suggesting
that we should "join the family in the
sitting.room. Old Mrs. Peyton was
bore, but mild one-paterfamilias an
unmitigated one; Miss Georgia was be-
nignant, but slightly tiresome. There
was only one other member of the
family, a pretty little fellow named
Ralph, but the girls had taken to call
ing him tRaphael, from some fancied
resemblance to one of the Sistine cherubs.
He seemed quiet little chap, with a
sweet innocence of expression and de-
meanor, who posed good deal of the
time with his cheek on his hand, after
the manner of the cherub aforesaid. He
was devoted to Agnes, and hung round
her more than was pleasant, for which I
occasionally snubbed him rather Sc
verely, but she always interceded for
him. sHe was such little fellow-and
then he was so lovely! was he not ones
ideal of boy?"
Agnes had been in the city few weeks
when, one morning, the telephone bell in
our Office rang sharply. This was of fire.
quent occurrence, and Clarkson's desk
was stationed near it to save time in an
swering the call. The rest of us scarcely
looked up as the familiar "hullom was
shouted, or the concluding: GAIL right
I'll tell Mr.. Gruffland. Good-byw But
this morning Clarkson turned to me with:
"This is for you, Dixonw Accordingly
I shouted "hullo" and in return heard
Miss Georgie's voice:
SIS that you, Mr. Dixon2 Agnes is
here, and wants to try to speak to you"
Then 1 heard her giving directions.
"Stand little nearer; press this close to
your ear-so."
"Good-morning," I called.
In return heard a giggle and my
Agnes's voice exclaiming: Oh, oh! It
tickles my earl" Then more directions
from Miss Peyton, and at last the
sweetest voice in the world began in as
nearly as might be stentorian roar:
''Is that really you, Harry? Isn't this
perfectly sweet? Are you sure they can't
hear in the Office, Georgie?"
"Well," from George, "I should
say they certainly could, if you shout
like that"
Harry" in a half whisper, elf you
are sure it's really you, and that no one
else can hear, want to tell you some
thing. Do you remember that queer
Miss Blake in Aiken2 Do you hear me,
Harry?"
EYES," I replied.
Then smother little giggle. "Isn't it
too funny2 DO you know, Harry, now
that 1 see how to use it, Pm going to
talk to you ever so often. Won't it be
fun9 But where was II Dear me, how
stupid! On, know, Miss Blake. Well,
she has just sent me the loveliest-"
Here Clarkson muttered, "Old Gruff'
ccming," and knowing that he would
ask an exclamation of nv receiving the